James Boomhower on the State of Mental Heath Care for First Responders

James Boomhower, MS(c), FP-C, NR-P, C- NPT, CCISM is a critical care paramedic in Massachusetts and founder of Stay Fit 4 Duty, an organization that provides resources and training to healthcare providers and first responders.  In this conversation, James discusses many aspects of mental health support for first responders, including the need to transition from term "culturally competent" to the more inclusive,  "culturally informed", the challenge to provide services to retired first responders,  employee assistance programs (EAP), critical incident stress management (CISM), peer support, and the difference between your identity and your profession..  James also discusses his upcoming webinar, "PTSD in the Fire Service: Signs and Solutions", hosted by Ventura Fire Foundation.  Listen in...Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Chief Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire FoundationGuest: James Boomhower, Stay Fit 4 Duty, MS(c), FP-C, NR-P, C- NPT, CCISM Link: 2/20 PTSD WebinarConnect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | InstagramSupport the showJOIN US!  👉 https://www.firefamilycollective.org/collectiveSupport our Mission. 👉 https://bit.ly/Donate2FFCConnect with us on Instagram. 👉 https://www.instagram.com/firefamilycollective/Listen on the go:Apple podcasts: https://apple.co/4kvLKwbSpotify: https://spoti.fi/45IIRDlWatch on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNC3faooGcHBr1dHm_FVYBsPQ7XAtBtd-----------------The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests of the Fire Family Collective Podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of their affiliated fire departments, agencies, employers, the Fire Family Collective, or the Ventura Fire Foundation.All content shared on this podcast is for informational and personal perspective purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. -----------------Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2026.